Reston Association and Fairfax County Police are investigating vandalism cases that occurred at two RA pools late Thursday or early Friday.

Vandals hit Glade and Hunters Woods Pools, where damage was found Friday morning, said RA spokesman Mike Leone.

At Glade, feces were found in the skimmer pots of the pool. Unfortunately, the mess was not discovered until after swim team practice, said Leone.

The pool was shut down for most of the day Friday as RA personnel cleaned the pool and followed sanitation procedures, he said.

At Hunters Woods, swim team coaches discovered cigarette butts, a torn hot tub cover, whole beer bottles in the hot tub, and broken bottles on the pool deck and in the pool.

The debris was cleaned up and the pool sanitized. No one was injured by the glass, said Leone.

Leone said all pools have six-foot high fences and locks. But there are cases every summer of people scaling the fences to get into the pool.

Despite the two events on Friday, vandalism case reports are down from last summer, said Leone.

Non-Reston Association member who want to swim and play tennis can get a great deal on RA memberships for the rest of the summer.

RA has extended its summer non-member pass sale through July 15. The deal saves a family up to $106.

Memberships give access to 15 pools and 52 tennis courts.

Here are the pass options:

Family Pass — Annual, non-transferable passes for two adults (18+) and up to four children (1-17).

• Pool & Tennis: $424 (you save $106)
• Tennis Only: $288 (you save $72) 

Individual Pass

• Pool & Tennis: $296 (you save $74)
• Tennis Only: $208 (you save $52)

Promo code (FB0629) prices valid only in person or by phone.
Call 703-435-6530 or visit 12001 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, VA 20191.

When Reston Association Pools open for the season May 28, double check pool schedule before you grab your towel.

Seven of RA’s 15 pools are open weekends only from May 28 until Fairfax County Public Schools close in late June. That’s a departure from recent years, when most pools were open, even if just for a few hours in the afternoon, during the RA pools’ “Season 1” schedule.

It’s part of a money-saving measure the RA Board approved in a vote last September.

Reston Association’s outdoor pools cost about $1.6 million annually to administer and staff. They also take in upwards of $800,000 in revenue, according to RA documents.

Changing to the weekends-only schedule early in the season is going to save about $10,000 annually, RA estimated when examining making the change. There will also be a reduced number of pools open in late August. That will save the association another $14,000.

RA aquatics officials said that the pools are scarcely used during mid-day hours while children are still in school.

Here is what you need to know:

From May 28 to June 23 it is weekends (Friday evening-Sunday) only for Dogwood, Golf Course Island, Lake Audubon, Newbridge North Hills, Shadowood and Tall Oaks pools.

North Shore and Ridge Heights, RA’s two heated facilities, are open daily from 1 p.m. (11 a.m. on weekends). Also open daily, but with more limited hours, are Autumnwood, Glade, Hunters Woods, Lake Newport and Uplands. See the complete schedule on Reston Association’s website.

The “Season 3” summer schedule, with all pools open daily (minus one day a week for cleaning, training, special events and lifeguards’ day off), runs June 24 to Aug. 21.

Four pools — Ridge Heights, North Shore, Glade and Lake Newport — will be open Aug. 21 to Sept. 4. In previous years, eight pools had been open during that time. RA has said staffing problems are widespread in late August as aquatics staffers head back to college.

The RA Board had looked into permanently closing the least-used pool in each district: Shadowood in Hunters Woods/Dogwood; Tall Oaks in Lake Anne/Tall Oaks; Autumnwood in North Point; and Newbridge in South Lakes.

Autumnwood has had an average of 10,165 visitors per summer over the last five years; Shadowood, 3,542; Newbridge, 4,211; and Tall Oaks, 4,587, RA said. Read More

It may be cold and gray, but according to the calendar it’s swim season.

Two of Reston Association’s pools — the heated ones, of course — open on Saturday, May 14:

Ridge Heights Heated Pool
Weekdays 1-7 p.m.
Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

North Shore Heated Pool & Spa
Weekdays 1-7 p.m.
Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

The remaining pools are scheduled to open Saturday, May 28. Visit RA’s website for a full pool schedule.

If you still need to purchase pool passes, go to the online RA Marketplace or visit RA Member Services at 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.

Reston Association’s Board of Directors is looking into altering outdoor pool schedules — including the possibility of closing up to four of them.

In a 2016 budget work session on Wednesday, Deputy Director for Recreation Laura Kowalski presented several cost-savings options to the board.

The board opted to move forward with two of them: to change seven pools to weekends-only from Memorial Day until the last day of school in June, and to change the number of pools open from mid-August to Labor Day from eight to four.

Reston Association has 15 outdoor pools that cost about $1.6 million annually to administer and staff. They also take in upwards of $800,000 in revenue, according to RA documents.

Changing to the weekends-only schedule early in the season would save about $10,000 annually, RA estimates. Reducing the number of pools open in late August would save about $14,000.

RA’s Board will vote on the final budget and set next year’s assessment in November.

The board opted to leave early morning and late evening swim hours at North Shore and Lake Thoreau pools in place, as well as keep North Shore and Ridge Heights open before Memorial Day and past Labor Day. It also will keep offering free sunscreen.

“I think having a longer pool season adds to the value of the pool pass,” said Larry Butler, RA’s Senior Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources.

A suggestion put to the board was shutting down the least-used pool in each district: Shadowood in Hunters Woods/Dogwood; Tall Oaks in Lake Anne/Tall Oaks; Autumnwood in North Point; and Newbridge in South Lakes.

Autumnwood has had an average of 10,165 visitors per summer over the last five years; Shadowood, 3,542; Newbridge, 4,211; and Tall Oaks, 4,587.

Closing each pool would save RA from $47,116 to $59,849 per pool annually, but that would only result in a savings of less than $3 on annual assessments, RA estimates show.

Butler explained it is not that easy to close a pool. When the former Lake Anne Pool was turned into a park over a decade ago, there was much discussion with Fairfax County, as well as large expense, said Butler.

“You have to get determination for zoning,” said Butler. “When Lake Anne [Pool] closed, the development plan specified ‘pool/tennis.’ The county said you had to replace it with something equivalent. You can’t just close it, bulldoze it and walk away.”

Butler said it cost RA about $700,000 to repurpose Lake Anne Pool into a park. He added that $40,000 was in demolition costs alone.

Board members said closing pools is a tough subject that is worthy of more discussion, but not as a means of keeping assessments down. They said it should be part of a future bigger discussion on facilities and long-range planning.

“Some pools are just not getting utilized and it is costing us,” said At-Large member Michael Sanio. “We have to look at what the opportunities are for savings.”

Some of the other suggestions: Save Tall Oaks for a joint investment opportunity when the Jefferson Apartment Group redevelops the nearby Tall Oaks Village Center; encourage pool rentals to groups and corporations to increase revenue; and consolidating staffing, operations and schedules among pools located close together.

Dogwood Pool has been closed for nearly a week as Reston Association officials try and figure out the cause — and the solution — to a water quality issue.

RA spokesman Mike Leone said the association still is not sure what caused the issue. RA has tried several things, including draining some of the water out of the pool, to try and fix the problem.

“At the present time we anticipate the pool opening sometime this week,” Leone said. “Our staff continues to monitor water clarity on a daily basis. It must meet Fairfax County Health Department requirements before we’re able to reopen the Dogwood pool.”

Dogwood is supposed to be one of the RA pools that would remain open until Labor Day. Looking to go for a swim? Try Glade, Lake Audubon (weekends only), Lake Thoreau, Lake Newport, North Hills, North Shore or Ridge Heights.

Reston Association’s outdoor pools turn to the late-summer schedule beginning Monday.

These pools will be closing for the season at the end of the day Sunday: Autumnwood, Golf Course Island, Hunters Woods, Newbridge, Shadowood, Tall Oaks and Uplands.

Still open: Dogwood, Glade, Lake Audubon (weekends only), Lake Newport, Lake Thoreau, Ridge Heights, North Shore and North Hills. For exact hours, visit RA’s website.

On Labor Day (Monday, Sept.7), the still-open pools will operate on a weekend schedule.

After Labor, Day only heated pools at Ridge Heights and North Shore will be open. The two will remain on a shortened schedule (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends) through Sept. 27.

Reston Association pools kick of the 2015 season beginning Saturday, May 9.

Ridge Heights Heated Pool

Weekdays 1-8 p.m.; Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Lake Thoreau Pool & Spa

Weekdays 1-8 p.m.;  Weekends 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

RA says the North Shore heated pool is undergoing a front entrance improvement project and is currently scheduled to open May 23. Over the weekend, the deck of North Shore was briefly flooded when water was left running.

The remaining pools will open May 23. See the full schedule on RA’s website.

Still need to buy your pool passes? Visit this link on RA’s website.

Ridge Heights Pool/file photo

Reston Association’s pools turn to the late-summer schedule beginning Monday.

These pools are now closed for the season: Autumnwood, Golf Course Island, Hunters Woods, Newbridge, Shadowood, Tall Oaks and Uplands.

Still open: Dogwood, Glade, Lake Audubon (weekends only), Lake Newport, Lake Thoreau, Ridge Heights, North Shore and North Hills. For exact hours, visit RA’s website.

After Labor, Day only heated pools at Ridge Heights and North Shore will be open. The two will remain on a shortened schedule (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends) through Sept. 28.

Photo: Hunters Woods Pool/File photo

Lake Newport Pool, which closed last week for repairs, will remain closed through Monday, July 21, Reston Association officials said.

The repair involves a mechanical failure within the main pool pump, including a  damaged bracket. The maintenance team has purchased two replacement brackets that are being shipped, but  they may not be a guaranteed match to existing components, RA says.

RA is also seeking to replace the entire pump, and that equipment may not arrive for several days.

Lake Newport, located at 11601 Lake Newport Rd. in North Reston, is Reston Association’s only 50-meter pool. It is the site of many community events, most of which have been relocated for the next week.

The Reston Swim Team Association Individual Medley, scheduled for Wednesday evening at Lake Newport, has been relocated to Lake Thoreau Pool, 2040 Upper Lake Dr.

All group swim lessons at Lake Newport this week will take place at North Hills Pool, 1325 North Village Rd.

Water aerobics held at Lake Newport Wednesday and Friday this week has been canceled.

RA aquatics staff says it will re-evaluate the situation by next Monday. If you have questions, call Phone: (703) 435-6530 or email [email protected].

This is a sponsored column by Eve Thompson of Reston Real Estate.  

One of the many benefits of living in Reston is having access to the 15 Reston Association Pools in our community. (Even if you aren’t an RA member, you can still get a pass to the RA pools.)

Like most amenities in Reston, the pools were situated throughout Reston with the idea that people could walk to their neighborhood pool — and they do. Every pool features lap lanes, areas to splash around, and plenty of lounge chairs.

But over the years, each pool has developed it’s own personality and attracts people for different reasons. Here’s a lowdown on what each pool offers so you can plan your day in the sun (or shade).

For children of all ages

• Autumwood (11950 Walnut Branch Road, North Reston)
  This pool’s large wading area with a fountain is great for toddlers. There is also a covered picnic area and playground nearby.
• Glade (11550 Glade Drive, South Reston)
  With a 20-foot slide, this pool is a favorite for kids of all ages! Parents can relax in the spa while the kids are sliding or diving off the one-meter diving board. There is also a wading pool for the little ones
• Hunters Woods (2501 Reston Parkway, South Reston)
  This pool features separate water basketball and volleyball areas, a diving board, and children’s splash area. For the parents, there is a large spa. The pool also features an ADA ramp into main pool.
• North Hills (1325 North Village Road, North Reston)
  This pool features two shallow play areas, one of which has a fountain. For family day at the pool, there are also picnic tables, a grass beach area, and a picnic pavilion with grills. And don’t forget the spa.
• North Shore (11515 North Shore Drive, North Reston)
  This heated pool is a family favorite. It opens early in the season and is the last pool to close in September. The pool features a spa, wading pool, ADA ramp to the pool deck, ADA hydrolift chair into the main pool, and shaded upper deck with picnic tables.
• Shadowood (2201 Springwood Drive, South Reston)
  This is a smaller and quieter pool than Glade, but feature a small slide for the kids. There is also a wading pool and small picnic area.
• Uplands (11032 Ring Road, North Reston)
  This is the premier pool for families with toddlers. The zero-depth children’s pool (0-3 feet deep) has interactive fountains, a cold-water spa, and an interactive sand pit. The pool also has an ADA in-water wheelchair.

For serious swimmers

• Lake Newport (11601 Lake Newport Road, North Reston)
  This is Reston’s only 50-meter pool and is a favorite for serious swimmers. There is also a sand volleyball area, and two one-meter diving boards, a wading pool, and a covered picnic area with grills.

For sun worshippers

With plenty of sunny spots, these pools are great if you want to get some serious rays.

• Dogwood (2460 Green Range Road, South Reston)
• Golf Course Island (11301 Links Drive, North Reston). There is also a large playground with grills next to the pool — perfect for summer parties.
• Lake Audubon (2070 Twin Branches Road, South Reston). In addition to your pool amenities, there is a boat ramp to Lake Audubon nearby if you want to take out your canoe or sunfish.

For shade seekers

If you want to spend the day at the pool without spending a day in the sun, these pools are perfect for you.

• Lake Thoreau (2040 Upper Lake Drive, South Reston)
• Newbridge (11758 Golf Course Square, South Reston)
• Ridge Heights (11400 Ridge Heights Road, South Reston). This pool is heated. It opens early in the season and is one of the last pools to close.
• Tall Oaks (12025 North Shore Drive, North Reston)

For spa lovers

If you love the Jacuzzi as much as the swim, visit these pools:

• Glade
• Hunters Woods
• Lake Thoreau
• North Hills
• North Shore

Which pool is your favorite?